Pocketbook c. 1939

Norma Lockwood made this lovely drawing of a pocketbook, we don't know when, with what looks like watercolour. The colours are muted, earthy, and give a great sense of the bag’s texture. You get a feeling that Lockwood really enjoyed observing and recreating its intricate design. The way the paint is applied gives a sense of transparency, layering colour upon colour to create something dense and rich. Look closely and you can see faint pencil lines underneath the painted surface, the ghost of the construction. I love the little details: the rough texture of the red flap, the delicate beadwork at the top of the patterned section, and the way the light catches on the woven fibres. The repeated diamond motif gives a sense of depth and rhythm. It’s like a little jewel! I am reminded of the pattern paintings of Alfred Jensen, whose colour theory and interest in textiles also speak to this kind of methodical but deeply felt mark making. Lockwood’s piece reminds us that art is often about careful looking and thoughtful rendering, about embracing the beauty of everyday objects.